​Christmas in the Colony of Norka on the Volga

By Edith Müthel, the daughter of Norka Pastor Emil Pfeiffer

​The traditions of German colonists living on the Volga and the Germans living in St. Petersburg were different due to their migration from disparate parts of Germany at varying time periods.

I recall lying under fluffy clouds in snow fields of blinding white surrounded by the gardens and houses in the colony of Norka on the Volga. The winter sun was set against a dark blue sky, trying to warm the frozen ground with its rays. All of a sudden, a white veil began to cover the sky with thousands of crystals of different colors.

Blessed silence enveloped the colony of Norka. As Christmas approached, the hearts of children were filled with joy. Soon St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) and his servant Ruprecht (also knecht Ruprecht orBlack Peter) would come. We, like all children on earth, hoped that St. Nicholas will make our dreams come true. We shared our wishes with our parents and they promised to talk to St. Nicholas if they should see him traveling on the road to us, but only on the condition that we listen and learn well. We certainly tried our best.

St. Nicholas's servant Ruprecht came to us after the first Advent (the fourth Sunday before Christmas). He appeared late in the evening with a great noise. As expected, he wore a long white beard, and on his head - a fur cap. He was also wearing a sheepskin with a wide collar, which in the German colonies was called a Pelz. Behind him, he dragged a sack and in his hands he held a whip. For us, his appearance was always sudden and mysterious. We called the servant Ruprecht the Pelznickel or Pelzbube. He was supposed to frighten the children. After greeting the children he asked them recite poems about the Infant Christ, to say their prayers, and to respond to questions about the children's Bible. At times there were difficult questions: How many children did Jacob have? What were their names? Who is David, and what feats did he perform?

We read the prayer "Our Father" (The Lord's Prayer) and sang Christmas carols. If parents said that they were satisfied with their children, the Pelznickel opened his bag and put his whip in it. This was an important educational lesson.

At our house, we made small Christmas gifts for our parents and relatives. We sewed, knitted, and worked to make sure that no one knew who the gift was for. Before Christmas, there was a great cleaning in every home in the colony. Everything was scrubbed. The curtains on the farmhouse windows were white as snow. Blankets and pillowcases were decorated with embroidery and hand-made lace. It was all very pleasing to the eye. The house, the barn and the sheds were in full order.

From December 22 until noon on the 24th, many foods were prepared in the kitchen. Each house smelled of gingerbread with icing, and cake with crumb topping, which was called Riwwelkuchen on the Volga.

After dinner (in this case the noon meal), the house became calm. Children prepared for their Christmas program, which began about 4 p.m. As soon as the church bells began to ring, the children hurried through the streets to find their place inside the Norka church. The church, with 2,500 seats, was the pride of the colony. Despite its modest furniture, the building made a great impression on the congregation. Children were greeted by a large Christmas tree, decorated with candles and toys. For this worship service, the church was always full. A Christmas pageant was performed and the children recited poems and sang Christmas songs. With joy and emotion they saw the Nativity scene standing under the tree. The children's hearts were illuminated with joy and a deep faith in this miracle of God.

After the service, each child received a small gift, usually sweets. Though the gift was modest, we children were always sincerely appreciative. Then we ran home. The dark sky was dotted with bright stars. At home we reunited with our parents and it was warm and cozy.

At 7 p.m. the bells chimed and summoned the adults to church. Again, the church was completely full. The large Christmas tree pleased the diligent and respectable farmers who had labored for long hours in their fields. At this time of year they rested and praised God, thanking Him for answering their prayers. The Christmas Festival lasted three days, and during that time all the chores were suspended, except for care of the animals.

Many of the colonists went to each other's homes for visits. Especially the pious brothers who gathered at their prayer meetings.

On Christmas day the worship service began at 9 a.m. While the adults attended church, the children rode their sleds down the street or a nearby hill.

How was the Christmas holiday observed in the house of the pastor? The Christmas service for adults ended late and we were looked forward to the return of our parents. We had a custom of sitting in a dark room at home waiting for them. In the next room was a decorated Christmas tree which lasted a long time. Our parents then opened the door and we are allowed to enter the room with the tree. The candles seemed blinding. Each of us looked for our gift under the tree. On the table next to the tree was a colorful plate of sweets (Bunter Teller) for each of us.

A festive table had already been laid for supper and featured the traditional roast goose with apples, ham, roast pork, and more. Tea or coffee was served with baked goods such as: gingerbread, muffins, and pies with apples and cheese. On Christmas Eve we always ate dumplings with poppy seeds, a recipe that my father had brought back from his home in Warsaw (Poland). The festive table was not the most important thing in the holiday. We prized the meaning of the Christmas miracle. The family felt joy and peace of mind.

Although Christmas was a family holiday, after worship service on Christmas Eve our parents gave good wishes and small gifts to all of their close friends. This tradition has continued in our family ever since.

Source

Edith Müthel was born in St. Petersburg in 1919. She was the daughter of Rev. Emil Pfeiffer who ministered as a pastor in the colony of Mühlberg from 1925 to 1927 and in the parish of Norka from 1927 to 1934. In 1925, the large Pfeiffer family which had four children, (Margareth, age 7; Edith, age 6; Friedeborg, age 5; and Emil, age 3) traveled to their father's distant new place of service in Russia.

Edith spent her childhood in the Volga area in the German colonies of Mühlberg and Norka (both were located in the province of Saratov). The most beautiful memories from this time remain ingrained in Edith's mind.

Edith is one of the most respected congregational members of St. Peter Church in St. Petersburg, Russia. She returned to her native city in 1956 and was confirmed in 1997. She has had a difficult lot in life but kept her joy of living and the beautiful smile which comes directly from her heart.